In 2008, living standards in Zimbabwe reached humanitarian crisis proportions. Political instability, land problems and drought contributed to a sharp decline in economic activity, particularly affecting agricultural production and exports. The situation was worsened by the turmoil following disputed presidential and parliamentary elections in March. In July, hyperinflation was such that Zimbabwean 100 billion dollar bills had to be issued. In 2008-2009, the country was struck by a devastating cholera outbreak. With insufficient access to safe water and poor sanitary conditions, the disease spread, infecting 98,440 people and killing over 4,000. With a health system eroded by the impact of the economic crisis and the HIV/AIDS epidemic (with a prevalence rate of around 16% of the adult population at that time), Zimbabwe had no other alternative than to declare a national emergency. At that point, almost every household in the country had a family member ill and requiring special care and nutrition.
Resource collections
- Innovation
- UN Habitat - Urban Response Collection
- Urban Response - Urban Crisis Preparedness and Risk Reduction
- Urban Response Collection - Community Engagement and Social Cohesion
- Urban Response Collection - Economic Recovery
- Urban Response Collection - Environment and Climate Change
- Urban Response Collection - Housing, Land and Property
- Urban Response Collection - Urban Crisis Response, Recovery and Reconstruction
- Urban Response Collection - Urban Resilience